Environment Secretary Michael Gove met with the representatives from the food and farming sectors yesterday to discuss the ongoing consultation to seek views on future farming policy post-Brexit. He stressed the importance of taking part in it's public consultation: ‘Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment’

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He addressed over 100 attendees at the event, which was co-hosted by Sustain, on how their views will be able to make sure that we make the most of the historic opportunity to deliver a farming policy that works for everyone.

The Defra-led event, which is just one of 14 taking part across the country to hear directly from industry on their views around future policy, also saw Sustain’s Farming Campaign Coordinator, Vicki Hird, highlight the importance of collaboration between the government and industry to deliver an agricultural policy that reflects the needs of farmers and food producers.

         Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

"As we leave the EU, we are committed to delivering an ambitious agricultural policy for our food and farming sector –one that champions the needs of our farmers and puts food at the heart of government thinking.

Today’s event is just one in a series across the country to make sure we get this right and I encourage all those with an interest to get involved with the consultation"

Sustain's Coordinator Vicki Hird said:

"This event complements our efforts to encourage as detailed discussions as possible and to encourage powerful responses to the Defra consultation. We need the final  future farm policy to be integrated with social and health policy, sustainable, well-supported and deliver on significant goals.

Future policy must support farmers but also deliver benefits for our health and the environment, to create a resilient and sustainable farming economy, and to ensure high standards of animal welfare. We also need to know that there is a budget safeguarded to deliver on these outcomes and that the regulation framework fits the bill. We will accept nothing less.”